asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the reorganisation of local government on Tyneside.

Yesterday I wrote to the Tyneside local authorities inviting their comments on my present conclusion that I should not accept the proposals of the Local Government Commission for a continuous county and four most-purpose boroughs, but should instead put forward a proposal of my own for a single all-purpose borough. I have sent my hon. Friend a copy of this letter.